Alma Cooper Crowned Miss USA 2024 Amid Controversy

In an exciting turn of events, Alma Cooper from Michigan has been crowned Miss USA 2024! The announcement came during a dazzling ceremony held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 4.

Cooper, a 22-year-old Army officer and a graduate from the United States Military Academy, stood out among contestants with her vibrant spirit and determination. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in statistics at Stanford, she made history as the first active-duty Army officer to win the title of Miss Michigan USA.

When asked about her background, Cooper shared her inspiring story, emphasizing her identity as a proud Afro-Latina and daughter of a migrant worker. She expressed her dream of making healthy food accessible to everyone, highlighting her passion for addressing food insecurity.

At the same event, Miss Kentucky, Connor Perry, was named the first runner-up, and Miss Oklahoma’s Danika Christopherson secured the second runner-up spot. The pageant saw other remarkable competitors like Miss Ohio, Macy Hudson, and Miss Tennessee, Christell Foote.

This pageant took place following a series of resignations earlier this year, including former Miss USA 2023, Noelia Voigt, who cited mental health concerns. Similarly, former Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava stated that her values no longer aligned with the organization’s direction.

The fallout from these resignations included serious allegations claimed by Voigt regarding a toxic work environment and harassment within the organization, which she detailed in a resignation letter.

Laylah Rose, president and CEO of the Miss USA organization, responded to the allegations, declaring the claims of bullying and harassment as false. She emphasized the well-being of their titleholders and the initiative to work with the National Association for Mental Illness to support contestants.

Amid all this drama, the initial excitement around the competition remained alive, especially as Alma and Connor exhibited a supportive friendship throughout the event. In the spirit of inclusivity, the organization also dropped its age requirement this year.

In a heartfelt message, both Cooper and Perry held hands before the final results were announced, showing their encouragement for each other. With a renewed focus on reform and positivity, the Miss USA pageant takes a new step forward with Alma Cooper at the helm.